Fat Mao Noodles serves up the perfect antidote to Vancouver's rainiest days

Fat Mao Noodles in Vancouver is a go-to for soup noodles. Photo by Mark Yuen Visuals /Special to Postmedia

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What’s the perfect salve for a cold, rainy Vancouver day? A bowl of steaming hot soup noodles.

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It’s a truth that Chef Angus An knows very well.

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“Soup noodles are the ultimate comfort food,” he says. “I’ve never met someone who doesn’t like it, especially in Vancouver. It rains so much. I’m always craving of a good bowl of soup noodles.”

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At the helm of the local restaurant group Full House Hospitality, Chef An oversees a roster of restaurants that have become go-tos for local foodies and out-of-towners alike, including: Michelin-recommended Maenam; Longtail Kitchen; Sainam; Sen Pad Thai; and Fat Mao Noodles.

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“Our cuisine is heavily focused on Thailand and the southeast Asian flavours around Thailand,” An summarizes of the culinary theme coursing through the different eatery menus.

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But at Fat Mao, slurpy bowls of authentic, Thai-style soup noodles are the specialty.

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“Fat Mao is comfort. Fat Mao is delicious. Fat Mao is irresistible,” An summarizes of the restaurant.

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Fat Mao Noodles Chef Angus An. Photo by Mark Yuen Visuals /Special to Postmedia

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The two Fat Mao locations — one in Chinatown at 217 East Georgia St. and in downtown Vancouver at 983 Helmcken St. — are known for generous servings of fresh noodles swimming in steaming hot broth. Fat Mao was also named the Best Casual Restaurant by Vancouver Magazine in 2025, earning the second-best status in the same category this year.

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“I want guests to expect what they would expect from noodle shops in Thailand,” An says of the overarching restaurant inspiration. “Little holes in the wall, that’s why Fat Maos are always really tiny, that serve really authentic, flavourful soup noodles.”

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The restaurant has become such a local gem that celebrities have been known to stop by over the years, including singer Sam Smith in 2023.

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“I think someone at Rogers Arena must love Fat Mao, because we do get a lot of people that, after they rehearse, they come down. And Sam Smith was one of them,” An says. “He waited in line just like everyone else. And really, really fell in love with the noodles …

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“He was super-nice.”

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Offering a selection of noodles including chewy, flat Shanghai wide noodles, clear riche sheet noodles, Wonton noodles and more, the menu centres around a curated selection of six Thai soups garnished with a sprinkling of green onions, cilantro and other assorted accoutrements.

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One of the most popular dishes at Fat Mao also happens to be one of An’s personal favourites.

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“It’s rooted from Chiang Mai,” he explains. “It’s called Khao Soi Chicken. It’s braised chicken thighs in the Khao Soi curry, light coconut broth, served with wonton noodles and crispy wonton noodles.”

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The dish’s popularity, he says, comes from its diversity of flavours.

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“It hits on many, many different notes,” An says. “It’s got the braised chicken that’s nice and tender. It’s got a really light coconut-flavoured curry broth that’s very soothing and comforting for a lot of people. It’s not too rich, so it’s both popular in the winter as well as the summer.”